Migrating from OpenCart to PrestaShop is a strategic move from a self-hosted open-source platform to a open-source platform. In 2025, with OpenCart's limited features, and PrestaShop's more advanced features and European market focus, the case for migration has never been stronger.

This comprehensive technical blueprint is designed for store owners, developers, and decision-makers. We will bypass the marketing fluff and dissect the database structures, the exact field mappings, the cost analysis, and the step-by-step execution required to move your data to PrestaShop without losing a single byte.

1. The Strategic Pivot: Why Leave OpenCart?

OpenCart is a powerful open-source eCommerce platform, but it often becomes limiting for businesses that need more advanced features and European market focus. Moving to PrestaShop opens specific opportunities:

💰 Advanced Features

The OpenCart Pain: OpenCart requires self-hosting, server management, and technical maintenance. You're responsible for updates, security, and performance optimization.

The PrestaShop Gain: More built-in features and modules. Better suited for European markets.

🚀 Module Ecosystem

The OpenCart Pain: OpenCart has a smaller extension marketplace compared to major platforms. Limited third-party integrations.

The PrestaShop Gain: Extensive module marketplace with thousands of add-ons.

🛠 Multi-Store

The OpenCart Pain: OpenCart requires technical knowledge for advanced customization. Limited built-in features compared to hosted solutions.

The PrestaShop Gain: Native multi-store support with advanced management capabilities.

⚡ European Focus

The OpenCart Pain: OpenCart requires you to manage hosting, updates, and technical aspects yourself.

The PrestaShop Gain: Strong presence in European markets with local payment and shipping integrations.

2. The Pre-Migration Architecture Audit

Before touching any data, you must map the terrain. OpenCart and PrestaShop speak different data languages.

A. Understanding the Platform Disconnect

OpenCart uses MySQL database with REST API for export. PrestaShop uses bridge for data import.

OpenCart Version: Are you on OpenCart 2.x, 3.x, or 4.x? Database structure may differ. Migration tools handle all versions.
Database Access: OpenCart requires MySQL database access or bridge extension. Migration tools use bridge extension for safe data extraction.
PrestaShop Setup: Ensure PrestaShop is set up and ready. Configure bridge access if required.
Product Structure: OpenCart products with options map to PrestaShop products. OpenCart's unlimited options may need mapping to PrestaShop's structure.
Images: OpenCart images are in image/ directory. Need to be transferred to PrestaShop's media system.

3. Exact Data Mapping: The Blueprint

This is the most critical section for developers. This is how OpenCart entities translate to PrestaShop. We assume the use of an automated migration tool.

🛍 Product Data Mapping

OpenCart Field (Source)	PrestaShop Field (Target)	Notes & Logic
`product_id`	`Product ID`	PrestaShop generates new IDs. Use SKU for mapping.
`name` (oc_product_description)	`Product Name`	Direct string transfer.
`sku`	`SKU`	Direct mapping. OpenCart SKU at product level.
`price`	`Price`	Direct mapping with currency conversion if needed.
`description` (oc_product_description)	`Description`	HTML content. Images need re-uploading to PrestaShop's media system.
`category_id` (oc_product_to_category)	`Category`	OpenCart categories become PrestaShop categories.
`product_option` and `product_option_value`	`Attributes/Variants`	OpenCart's unlimited options map to PrestaShop attributes/variants. May need consolidation if PrestaShop has limits.

👥 Customer Data Mapping

OpenCart Field	PrestaShop Field	Critical Logic
`email`	`Email`	Unique identifier.
`password` (hashed)	`Password` (on create)	Password migration depends on PrestaShop support. OpenCart uses bcrypt. Migration tool handles conversion if supported, otherwise customers must reset passwords.
`oc_address`	`Address`	OpenCart addresses map to PrestaShop customer addresses.

📦 Order Data Mapping

OpenCart Field	PrestaShop Field	Mapping Logic
`order_id`	`Order ID`	Preserve OpenCart order number in PrestaShop order ID or custom field.
`order_status_id`	`Order Status`	Map OpenCart order statuses to PrestaShop order statuses.
`total`	`Total`	Direct mapping with currency conversion if needed.

4. The Toolkit: Selecting Your Vehicle

You have three vectors of attack for this migration. Choose based on budget and technical capability.

Option A: Automated Cloud Migration (Recommended)

Tools: Shopping Cart Mover, LitExtension, Cart2Cart

Specialized tools that connect via OpenCart bridge extension and PrestaShop bridge.

✅ Pros: Handles database complexity, preserves relationships, formats data for PrestaShop automatically.
❌ Cons: Cost scales with data ($200 - $400). Requires bridge extension on OpenCart.

Option B: CSV Import

Tools: OpenCart CSV Export + PrestaShop CSV Import

Export from OpenCart, format for PrestaShop, and import manually.

✅ Pros: Lower cost, direct control.
❌ Cons: Manual work required, may lose some data relationships. Limited to products and categories.

Option C: Custom Development

Tools: OpenCart REST API + PrestaShop bridge

Build a custom script using OpenCart REST API and PrestaShop bridge.

✅ Pros: Complete control, reusable.
❌ Cons: Expensive ($2,500+), time-consuming. Must handle OpenCart's MySQL structure and PrestaShop's data format.

5. Execution Protocol: Step-by-Step

We will proceed using the Automated Cloud Migration method as it is the industry standard for minimizing downtime.

Phase 1: Environment Preparation

1.1. Prepare Target (PrestaShop):
Set up your PrestaShop store. Complete PrestaShop setup wizard. Configure bridge access if required. Do not point your domain there yet. Use subdomain for testing.
Tip: Use password protection or maintenance mode to prevent public access during setup.

1.2. Prepare Source (OpenCart):
Install migration bridge extension on OpenCart. Ensure MySQL database access is available. Keep your OpenCart store live during migration.

Phase 2: The Connection Setup

2.1. PrestaShop Access:
Configure bridge access in PrestaShop. Generate API credentials or set up connection method as required.

2.2. OpenCart Access:
Bridge extension connects to OpenCart MySQL database. Migration tool authenticates via bridge extension API.

Phase 3: Migration Execution

Select what to move. Be careful with these specific settings:

Create 301 Redirects: Check this box if using custom domain. It creates redirects from OpenCart URLs to PrestaShop URLs. Without this, your SEO dies.
Migrate Product Options: OpenCart supports unlimited options. May need to consolidate if PrestaShop has variant limits.
Migrate Images: Images are downloaded from OpenCart image directory and uploaded to PrestaShop's media system automatically.
Password Migration: Depends on PrestaShop support. Customer passwords may be migrated if PrestaShop supports it, otherwise customers must reset passwords.

Phase 4: The Full Migration

Launch the process. The migration tool handles OpenCart MySQL extraction and PrestaShop bridge import automatically.

Time Estimation: 5,000 products + 10,000 orders usually takes 2-4 hours. Large catalogs migrate efficiently via automated tools.

Phase 5: Post-Migration Cleanup

5.1. Customer Communication:
Notify customers about the migration. They may need to reset passwords depending on PrestaShop password migration support.

5.2. Verify Products:
Check all products migrated correctly. Verify images, prices, and product options. Note any variant limitations in PrestaShop.

5.3. Design & Customization:
Choose or customize PrestaShop theme. OpenCart themes cannot be migrated, but PrestaShop offers its own theme options.

6. Financial Breakdown: Cost of Migration (2025)

What does it actually cost? Here is a realistic breakdown for a medium-sized store (2,000 Products, 10,000 Orders, 5,000 Customers).

Custom Script

$2,500+

Developer Time

Automated Cloud

$249

Average Cost

Agency Service